You need images! Is it time for a photo shoot?

When considering a budget for your project, the cost and impact of the imagery you choose are vital considerations. How much should you allocate for stock photography? Should you consider a photo shoot? What about rights-managed versus royalty-free images? These are good questions, but there are additional factors to consider.
By: Linda Lam, Art Director, PCI

When making a decision, I’ve always been a fan of the pro-con list. Below are a few points to help weigh your decision between using stock photography and having a photo shoot.

• Rights-managed images are expensive
• Image selection is limited by what exists
• Costs may carry over from year to year
• Competitors can use the same images

Photo shoot pros:

• Able to produce the exact image you desire
• Usually able to control image rights
• Can capture additional footage with scheduled photo shoots

Photo shoot cons:

• Long lead time due to casting, location scouting, etc.
• Uncontrollable forces such as weather, illness, etc.
• Expensive

Most budget-conscious clients ultimately end up going with stock photography because it is usually less expensive. This is not, however, always the case. Consider whether the stock photography you’ve selected is rights-managed. If so, royalty costs are based on image impressions and recur every year. Also, obtaining the rights to an image for use in one medium doesn’t always allow use in all mediums. If you need the stock image in multiple sizes — or similar images from the same series — costs will compound.

On the photo shoot side of the coin, can you schedule a shoot for the same cost as purchasing stock images? Probably not. However, you may be settling for an image that’s “good enough” versus a great shot for your project.

Budget may ultimately win out, but it’s important to consider all aspects of a decision before making the move to find your image.

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PCI is an integrated agency for today’s marketing and communications challenges. Through design, digital, video, events and strategic communications, we engage your audience across channels in meaningful ways.

PCI CommunicationsPCI is an integrated agency for today’s marketing and communications challenges. Through design, digital, video, events and strategic communications, we engage your audience across channels in meaningful ways.